The sewer system in the UK is designed to collect and transport wastewater and sewage from homes and businesses to treatment plants.
Local water and sewerage companies are responsible for the public sewer infrastructure, including main sewer lines, pumping stations and sewage treatment plants. These organisations are responsible for maintaining and managing the sewer infrastructure that serves multiple properties and areas.
Two main types of sewer
The sewer system consists of an extensive network of underground pipes and channels. It includes two main types of sewer.
Foul sewer pipes collect wastewater and sewage from toilets, sinks, showers and other sources. They carry the wastewater to treatment facilities, where it undergoes appropriate processing.
Surface water sewer pipes collect rainwater runoff and carry it directly to natural water bodies, such as rivers or the sea. You can find out more about how the UK sewer system works here:
In some older urban areas, a combined sewer system may be present. These systems collect both foul sewage and surface water runoff in a single-pipe network. During dry weather, the combined flow is transported to treatment plants. However, during heavy rainfall, the system can become overwhelmed, leading to combined sewer overflow (CSO) events, where a mixture of sewage and rainwater is discharged directly into water bodies to prevent flooding.
Drainage within the property boundary
Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of drainage pipes within the boundaries of their property. This includes pipes that connect the property’s internal plumbing to the external sewer system or private treatment systems. It covers foul drainage, such as pipes from toilets, sinks and showers, as well as surface water drainage.
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Wastewater collected from foul sewers is transported to sewage treatment plants. These plants use various physical, biological, and chemical processes to treat the sewage and remove contaminants. The treated water, known as effluent, is then discharged into water bodies, while solids and sludge generated during the treatment process undergo further processing.